“45365” (pronounced: four-five,-three-six-five) captures small town American life in striking reality style that peels away the layers of Sidney, Ohio — population 20,000 — to reveal a deeper shared experience. Middle America turns out to be much more complicated than a Norman Rockwell painting would have us believe. Filmmakers Turner and Bill Ross deliver slices of life in gorgeous HD photography building the unique faces, places, and events into a powerful mosaic of humanity.

After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, “Pop Idol” (the British TV show that was the basis for “American Idol”) has come to Afghanistan. Millions are watching the TV series “Afghan Star” and voting for their favorite singers by mobile phone. For many, this is their first encounter with democracy. This timely film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk all to become the nation’s favorite singer. But will they attain the freedom they hope for in this vulnerable and traditional nation?

The end of seafood by 2048? Some people think so. If it happens, will consumers have been to blame? Politicians who ignore the advice and pleas of scientists? Fishermen who break quotas and fish illegally? The global fishing industry? The film suggests some preventative solutions that are simple and doable, but does the world have the crucial political will to react in time, or is this whole “Inconvenient Truth” about our oceans just a big lie? Narrated by Ted Danson.

Chelsea (played by legendary 21-year-old adult film star Sasha Grey) is an upscale Manhattan call girl who provides more than just a sexual encounter; for a price, she’ll simulate a complete romantic relationship—a girlfriend “experience.” Despite a wide variety of happy customers, Chelsea wants to expand her business. Her real boyfriend Chris, a personal trainer at a downtown gym, has come to terms with his girlfriend’s level of experience, not to mention the posh apartment they share as a result of her success. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, who won an Oscar for “Traffic,” and didn’t win an Oscar for “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Ocean’s Twelve” or “Ocean’s Thirteen.”

In The Loop is a smart comedy that is drawing instant comparisons to some of the great political and absurdist comedies such as Doctor Strangelove, Wag The Dog and Thank You For Smoking by way of the legendary troupe Monty Python. With razor-sharp, truly laugh-out-loud dialogue the film pokes fun at the absurdity and ineptitude of our highest leaders. With everyone looking out for number one, and the fate of the free world at stake (but apparently incidental), the hilarious ensemble cast of characters bumbles its way through Machiavellian political dealings, across continents, and toward comic resolutions that are unforeseeable.

“A venomous and incisive cinema exposé and it builds a relentless head of comic steam that never subsides.” -Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magazine

“The savage comedy of ‘In The Loop’ is enough to justify hailing it as a triumph.” -Allan Hunter, Daily Express

OUTRAGE
From Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick (“This Film Is Not Yet Rated”) comes Outrage, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. Boldly revealing the hidden lives of some of the United States’ most powerful policymakers, Outrage takes a comprehensive look at the harm they’ve inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media’s complicity in keeping their secrets. The film probes deeply into the psychology of this double lifestyle, the ethics of outing closeted politicians, the double standards that the media upholds in its coverage of the sex lives of gay public figures, and much more.

Hey, hey, what can we say? – we’re front page news! Come see what all the hubbub’s about as we kick off what we hope will be the longest of runs as part of Gloucester’s downtown. Plenty of free parking in the St. Peter’s lot across Rogers Street, and we’re fully handicapped accessible.

THIS WEEK’S FEATURE:

Click to learn more about the film.

JULIAFriday July 10 – Thurs. July 16 @ 7:30pm nightly

Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton plays Julia, a manipulative, unreliable, compulsive liar, and an alcoholic. Between shots of vodka and one-night stands, Julia gets by on nickel-and-dime jobs. Increasingly lonely, the only consideration she receives comes from her friend Mitch, who tries to help her. After a chance encounter with Elena, a Mexican woman, Julia convinces herself – as much in panic and despair as for financial gain – to commit a violent act. As the story unfolds, her journey becomes a headlong flight on a collision course, but somehow she makes the choice of life over death.

“Riveting…an actress at the height of her expressive power.” – Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

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Anyone (and their guests) for whom downtown Gloucester is convenient this weekend is invited to come check out the new Cape Ann Community Cinema space this Friday (after the fireworks, ’round 10:30pm) and Saturday (after 9:30pm), after the 7:30pm show of Sita Sings The Blues. Saturday, we will show (in HD) a spooktacular hit from the summer of 1984. No cover, maybe a little Guitar Hero (yes, PJ, I’m getting Rock Band 2 for you), full concession menu, including ice cream, pretzels and White Castle cheeseburgers.

We’re at 21 Main Street in Gloucester, above the St. Peter’s Club and Mystery Train Records. Free parking on the street and at the St. Peter’s lot across Rogers Street (ours is the tower of mustard gold concrete).

Set in the insular world of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, TWO LOVERS is a classic romantic drama, with Joaquin Phoenix giving a raw and vulnerable performance as Leonard, a charismatic but troubled young man who moves back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. While recovering under the watchful eye of his parents (Isabella Rossellini and Moni Monoshov), Leonard meets two women in quick succession: Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), a mysterious and beautiful neighbor who is exotic and out-of-place in Leonard’s staid world, and Sandra, the lovely and caring daughter of a businessman who is buying out his family’s dry-cleaning business.

Leonard becomes deeply infatuated by Michelle, who seems poised to fall for him, but is having a self-destructive affair with a married man. At the same time, mounting pressure from his family pushes him towards committing to Sandra. Leonard is forced to make an impossible decision – between the impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love – or risk falling back into the darkness that nearly killed him.

“…the work of a mature, sensitive artist in total control of his craft.” –Scott Foundas, LA Weekly

“In every sense of the word it’s an adult film that wears its heart on its sleeve. A giant step forward for director Gray and Gwyneth Paltrow. Joaquin Phoenix is one of the screen’s most admirable risk takers.” –Rex Reed, NY Observer

On Christmas morning in 1969, Arthur Blessitt began his journey with a 12′ cross of his own construction, walking from Los Angeles, California, to Washington D.C. In August 1971, Blessitt began his journey around the world, beginning in England.

In total, Blessitt has walked 38,102 miles through 315 countries (including Island Groups and Territories), of which 52 were in open war. He has crossed every ocean and walked on all seven continents (including Antarctica).

The Cape Ann Community Cinema (at the Gloucester Stage at 267 East Main Street in East Gloucester) is pleased to partner with Essex County Greenbelt and the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market in presenting GREEN DAYS, a week-long eco film festival to commemorate Earth Day. The series will feature a mix of thought-provoking films – some startling, some – about the environment and people who are working to create a sustainable future. The series begins the Wednesday before Earth Day (April 15) and culminates on Earth Day (April 22) with an evening gathering, appetizers and the warm and engaging film “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.”

Essex County Greenbelt, the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market and the Cape Ann Community Cinema are all organizations focused on strengthening our communities by connecting people to each other and to their local landscape.
Information about these organizations will be available at the event, along with light refreshments. Special promotional memberships will be available for attendees. Tickets for each film are $8.50 for adults, $7.00 for students and seniors. The films and showtimes are as follows:

SUNDAY 19NO WONDER TO COMPARE: THE MARVEL OF CETACEANS [1:30pm]
plus bonus short DISNEYLAND DREAM – FREE!Filmmaker Robbins Barstow, co-founder of the Connecticut Cetacean Society, will present his whale video “No Wonder To Compare” and his Library Of Congress-inducted travel document, “Disneyland Dream” (from 1956!). We will also show an additional short promotional film about Wakefield’s Pleasure Island, aka “The Disneyland Of The East.”

The Cape Ann Community Cinema (at the Gloucester Stage at 267 East Main Street in East Gloucester) is pleased to partner with Essex County Greenbelt and the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market in presenting GREEN DAYS, a week-long eco film festival to commemorate Earth Day. The series will feature a mix of thought-provoking films – some startling, some – about the environment and people who are working to create a sustainable future. The series begins the Wednesday before Earth Day (April 15) and culminates on Earth Day (April 22) with an evening gathering, appetizers and the warm and engaging film “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.”

Essex County Greenbelt, the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market and the Cape Ann Community Cinema are all organizations focused on strengthening our communities by connecting people to each other and to their local landscape.
Information about these organizations will be available at the event, along with light refreshments. Special promotional memberships will be available for attendees. Tickets for each film are $8.50 for adults, $7.00 for students and seniors. The films and showtimes are as follows:

SUNDAY 19NO WONDER TO COMPARE: THE MARVEL OF CETACEANS [1:30pm]
plus bonus short DISNEYLAND DREAM – FREE!Filmmaker Robbins Barstow, co-founder of the Connecticut Cetacean Society, will present his whale video “No Wonder To Compare” and his Library Of Congress-inducted travel document, “Disneyland Dream” (from 1956!). We will also show an additional short promotional film about Wakefield’s Pleasure Island, aka “The Disneyland Of The East.”

In gonzo animator Bill Plympton’s latest film, Angel is a selfish, abusive, morally bankrupt man who hangs out as his local bar, berating the other patrons. One day, Angel mysteriously wakes up with a pair of wings on his back. The wings make him do good deeds, contrary to his nature. He desperately tries to rid himself of the good wings, but eventually finds himself fighting those who view the wings as their ticket to fame and fortune. Featuring music by Tom Waits.

Part of our “Animation Sensation” week of animated films.

“Bill Plympton never knows when to stop. Thank God! Just as I’m asking myself, “How much longer can he maintain this dark and outrageously beautiful tale?”, he turns it upside down and inside out and I find myself peering around a corner into a transcendent new world that is gleefully determined to trap me in it’s loopy spell. How can he be so poetic, funny, and cruel at the same moment? Where does he buy his drugs?” -Terry Gilliam

“The darkness of Bill Plympton’s vision is once again perfectly balanced with the searing illumination of his fantastic imagination (there’s even a brief point-of-view of an ashtray!) ‘Idiots and Angels’ may be his best film yet!” -Jim Jarmusch

“Bill Plympton’s ‘Idiots and Angels’ is a funny, dark and touching piece of film. His clever and inventive use of the pen nearly made me give up using a camera. I love dark characters redeeming themselves. On top of that are the sounds and the soundtrack. How much good stuff can you put into one film?” -Anton Corbijn

“The kinetic ‘Idiots’ is both a delightful comic adventure and an effecting tale about spiritual transformation.” -The Daily Princetonian

“This is an unforgettably lyrical film that has a great undertone of dark amusement. Another winner for Bill Plympton.” -Rotten Tomatoes

“Like the best of Plympton’s distinctive oeuvre, Idiots and Angels bounces merrily along from the profane to the sublime, with a parade of arresting images that have a way of sticking with you for days.” -The Gothamist

From living in a box under the streets of Chicago for 7 years to attending over 3,000 Chicago Cubs baseball games and being featured on ESPN, FOX, Howard Stern and in the pages of Sports Illustrated, NY Times and the Japan Nikkei, Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers has become one of America’s greatest baseball fans.

WooLife chronicles Ronnie’s journey from an abusive childhood on the south side of Chicago to his adopted family in Wrigley Field. A young Ronnie becomes inspired after his grandma takes him to a Cubs game in 1947 to see Jackie Robinson play. What Ronnie discovers in the bleachers of Wrigley is a foster family of Cubs fans and players that awakens his spirit and saves him from homelessness. He finds his soul music by rejoicing “Cubs Woo, Cubs Woo” in a way that inspires some of baseball’s greatest players.

WooLife starts during the 2000 season as Ronnie follows his dream of being recognized by the Cubs as the first fan to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Faced with obstacles from Cubs’ management, the fans decide to buy Ronnie a new smile to help improve his chances of his dream coming true. WooLife is a testimony that the human spirit can overcome and conquer the most grim of circumstances simply by recognizing the gift of being alove and the passion of truly believing in something.

One night at a bar, an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. The two men conclude that there’s a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the early eighties. Ari is surprised that he can’t remember a thing anymore about that period of his life. Intrigued by this riddle, he decides to meet and interview old friends and comrades around the world. He needs to discover the truth about that time and about himself. As Ari delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, his memory begins to creep up in surreal images. Director Ari Folman’s animated documentary has been acclaimed worldwide and is winner of 6 Israeli Film Academy Awards, including Best Film, Director, Screenplay and Art Direction, and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

As you might have figured out by now, we’re serious film fans. So when we found four of Master Of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock’s four greatest films were being pulled out of the vaults at Universal, we got giddy. And we have reason to — they look and sound better than they have since their original theatrical releases. Remastered in the highest quality high-definition picture and sound, we are thrilled to be able to share “The Birds” (Mar. 24), “Rear Window” (Mar. 25), “Vertigo” (Mar. 26) and “Psycho” (Mar. 27) with you as part of this very special engagement. Please join us so that Universal is keen to go back to the vaults for more great classics.

Allen and Stefan Forbes’s “One More Dead Fish” tells the heartwrenching story of environmentally-friendly handline fishermen fighting to survive in a rapidly globalizing industry. In fascinating interviews with local fishermen, government officials, biologists, and industry CEO’s, we learn about complex regulatory, legislative, and environmental issues. This film grounds the viewer in a clear historical context as it explains one of the world’s great environmental disasters, the destruction of the Grand Banks fisheries. And in examining the often Orwellian language of the multinational fishing industry, “One More Dead Fish” explores the media’s failure to report on the true environmental costs of globalization. This film points the way toward saving the world’s fisheries before it’s too late.

Join Joe and Helen Garland and Ron Gilson after the film for what is sure to be an impassioned discussion on the state of the fishing industry.

When Kym (Anne Hathaway) returns to the Buchman family home for the wedding of her sister Rachel, she brings a long history of personal crisis and family conflict along with her. The wedding party’s abundant cast of friends and relations have gathered for an idyllic weekend of feasting, music and love, but Kym—with her black-comic one-liners and knack for bombshell drama—is a catalyst for long-simmering tensions in the family dynamic. Filled with the rich and eclectic characters that have always been a hallmark of Jonathan Demme’s films, Rachel Getting Married paints a strikingly perceptive and sometimes hilarious family portrait.

“A triumph — Demme’s finest work since ‘The Silence Of The Lambs,’ and a movie that tingles with life.” -Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

“’Rachel Getting Married’ is a masterpiece.” -David Edelstein, New York Magazine

“Outsourced” is a modern day comedy of cross-cultural conflict and romance. Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton) spends his days managing a customer call center in Seattle until his job, along with those of the entire office, are outsourced to India. Adding insult to injury, Todd must travel to India to train his new replacement. As he navigates through the chaos of Bombay and an office paralyzed by constant cultural misunderstandings, Todd yearns to return to the comforts of home. But it is through his team of quirky yet likable Indian call center workers, including his friendly and motivated replacement, Puro (Asif Basra), and the charming, opinionated Asha (Ayesha Dharker), that Todd realizes that he too has a lot to learn – not only about India and America, but about himself. He soon discovers that being outsourced may be the best thing that ever happened to him.

“…a film bursting with affection for its characters and for India. It never pushes things too far, never stoops to cheap plotting, is about people learning to really see one another. It has a fundamental sweetness and innocence…And in a time when the word ‘chemistry’ is lightly bandied about, what they generate is the real thing.” -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)

Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)